So it turns out everything was not okay. A few days ago, a lord collapsed during a council meeting and Gaius had said that there is a disease going round, killing everyone. Did I tell you it was a magical illness so no cure, oh and let's not forget Gwen's father has it.
I sigh and turn away from the window, the rows of covered dead bodies was becoming too much. I walk out and down the corridor when a series of pleads came from the hall where Morgana's chambers are. I sprint that way and see Arthur walking ahead with two guards practically dragging Gwen down to the council chambers. "Arthur!" I shout, walking in front of him and stopping him. "What do think you're doing?"
"Lily move out of the way" he says and tries to push me out of the way but I held firm.
"Not until you tell me what is going on"
For gods sake. "Guinevere is being tried for the use of enchantments, now move out of the way" Arthur says forcefully pushing me to the side. I stay in place as Arthur storms past me closely followed by Morgana.
I snap out of my thoughts and quickly slip into the chambers and join Morgana as we walk towards my father.
"I believe you, perhaps this is a disease that is not always fatal? Have you thought of that? Perhaps he recovered naturally?" Morgana says as we reach Gwen. I look at Gwen sympathetically, I can't imagine what she's going through. Why will no one believe me? I'm innocent. I don't know anything about a poultice. PLEASE!
I step back on shock and turn back to my father, not quite knowing what just happened.
"I will show you no mercy" father declares as he stands up.
"I am not a witch. I don't know how to stop the illness!" Gwen pleads
"If you will not undo your sorcery, you force my hand and I must find you guilty..."
"But I told you, I..."
"It is therefore my duty to pronounce judgment. And under the circumstance I have no choice but to sentence you to death." My eyes widen as father reaches his final conclusion
"No!" Gwen exclaims, I wince slightly as her voice echos in my head.
"I can only hope that when you die, this evil plague dies with you." I shake my head and move forward, "Father she isn't a witch, she can't stop this plague"
He glared at my and points his finger in my face "Do not question me on this Lillian, this girl has practiced magic and will be dealt with accordingly and unless you have something useful to say, shut up or you will find yourself locked up for a week." I glare up at him in anger but he turns to where Gwen sat on the floor. "Take her away" he dismisses everyone.
I walk to the door but turn as I'm about to go through. "One day father, you'll push someone so far away, they will betray you and on that day, I will take great pride in saying 'I told you so'." I stare into his eyes and then stalk out to my room, hoping to calm down before I release something I might regret.
"Tell me what happened, my dear." Gaius says as he sits in front of me with a cup of tea. I smile and take a sip. "I don't understand Gaius, why won't he listen to me. I mean like I said if he doesn't learn, his fear of magic will be his downfall and as much as I hate my father; I know Arthur looks up to him and would be devastated should he die." I put my head on the table and stare at the door. I jump slightly as Merlin walks through the door and looks slightly guilty as he takes us in.
"I'm sorry Gaius" he says and sits at the table with us. I frown, it wasn't Merlin's fault Gwen was in jail.
"Forget that. If we're going to save Gwen, we have to find out what's contaminating the water. You can come as well." I nod, grab the cloak I came with and wrap it around myself then follow Merlin and Gaius out of the door.
We arrived at the underground caves and we made our way down to the water supply.
"The water from here supplies the whole town." Gaius says turning to Merlin and myself. "Take a sample"
I take the vial and place it into the water as I was taking it back to Gaius, a mud like creature shot out of the water. I scream in shock and back towards Gaius and Merlin.
"W-what was that?" I say shakily as Merlin takes the vial then holds my hand giving me a form of comfort.
"Let's take that back and examine it" Gaius says nodding to the vial, he takes our arms and leads us back up to his chambers.
When we got back to Gaius's chambers, Gaius immediately began to look up what monster we encountered in the cave.
"Here it was an afanc" Gaius says pointing to a creature in one of his books. "A what?" Merlin asks as we lean over Gaius's shoulder. "A beast born of clay, and conjured up only by the most powerful sorcerer. Now we have to find a way to defeat it. But where?" He recites from the book then looks up at his shelves of books.
"That could take days. Gwen will be dead by then." Merlin replies worried for Gwen. I look at him "Have you got a better idea?" I ask then walk out, giving Merlin and Gaius some time to find how to stop an afanc.
Lily why are you pacing
I pause my pacing and face Elissa "I don't know Elissa, I was just wondering if there was anyway to kill an afanc?"
Well an afanc is made up of the two of the base elements, water and earth...
I gasp in realization "The only way to defeat and afanc is to use the other two elements fire and wind but I'm gonna bet that fire will be more effective. I need to tell Gaius and Merlin." At that moment, Morgana bursts into my room "Lily, they're bringing forward the execution. We have to prove Gwen's innocence" I spun and grabbed my cloak. "I may know how but we'll most likely need Arthur." I snap my fingers "I'll go tell Merlin and Gaius"
She nods "I'll make Arthur agree to go, where should we meet you?"
"By the entrance to the water supply caves, see you there. Bye Elissa" I call, then follow Morgana out of the door.
I sprint down to Gaius's chambers and burst through the door. "I'm sorry but Gwen's execution has been brought forward and I need Merlin's help" I quickly explain, slightly out of breath
Merlin steps forward with concern on his face. "What do you need?"
"I know how to kill the Afanc but I'll need you and Arthur to help me. Morgana is already persuading Arthur..." I pause and look at the blank look on both Gaius and Merlin's face. "Can you help?"
He nods and we both make our way to the caves, we meet Arthur and Morgana at the entrance then we make our way down to the water source. Before we do, I grabbed a torch for each of us, should we encounter the Afanc which is more likely than not.
"So what exactly are we looking for?" Arthur asks as we make our way through the caves.
"It's an afanc that we think is contaminating the water supply and we need you to get rid of it" Merlin explains briefly. "What too much of a coward to do it yourself, Merlin?" Arthur taunts, I rolled my eyes and went to walk forward but Arthur thrust his arm across my chest.
"You should stay here." He says not moving his arm. I scoff and try to move around it.
"We're coming with you." Morgana interrupts and I nod, agreeing with her
"No."
"Scared I'll show you up?" I mock and finally manage to get around him but he just grabbed my arm.
"Father will slam us both in chains if he knew I'd endangered you."
"Well good thing he doesn't know about it then." I say whilst prying his hand off me, Morgana stepping in to help as well.
"I'm telling you, Lily, Morgana, turn back. You could get hurt." I roll my eyes, so now he cares.
"You could too... if you don't get off my arm and out of my way." I say and tug at my arm making him let go and I walk in front, winking at Merlin's amused face.
"How are we going to find it?" Morgana questions as we get closer to where the Afanc was last seen.
"I just hope we do before it finds us." Merlin says clutching his torch tighter. an inhumane sound is heard and we all stop.
"Spread out." Arthur orders and I follow Merlin as we go around a corner. We hear a yell and we run back around to see Arthur swiping his torch at the space in front of him
"What is it? Are you alright?" I ask, running up to him.
"Yeah." He replied.
"Did you see it?" Merlin quickly asks, whilst frantically looking around,
"Yes.", I sigh at Arthur's one word answers. I look around and all of the sudden the Afanc comes up in front of me, I let out a yelp and Arthur goes for it again but it disappears.
"I think it's gone this way!" Merlin calls and we all follow him
We slowly make our around the caves when the creature strikes at us, knocking away Arthur's sword and mine and Morgana's torches but Arthur still had his which was a relief.
"Arthur, use the torch!" me and Merlin shouted over the roar of the afanc. He takes our advice and waves the torch in front of the beast. All of the sudden a wind swept through the cave and blew the fire consuming the Afanc and it disappears in a haze of fire and screams from the Afanc.
--
Considering that the week started off really badly, in the end everything turned in our favour. The Afanc has been destroyed, there have been no new cases of the disease and best of all, Gwen was released, I was there and I couldn't be more happier for her.